Ruben Amorim has made a major change behind-the-scenes at Manchester United and told the squad that one thing will not be tolerated anymore.
Manchester United began their Premier League season on the weekend and fell to a narrow defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Despite the loss, there were positives for Ruben Amorim and his squad to take from the game, including the performances of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Amad and Benjamin Sesko also made positive impacts off the bench. Before the game, Amorim suggested that they would have an important role in the game.
United will be hoping to replicate that level of performance moving forward but turning the results into wins, with Fulham the next opponent.
Amorim makes major behind-the-scenes change at United
According to a fresh report from GiveMeSport, Amorim has already made his philosophy clear at Carrington, explaining to the squad that team selection will not simply come down to who starts a match, but also who can finish it.
It was stated that some of Amorim’s key decisions for games will be based on the final 30 minutes. As mentioned, against Arsenal, the likes of Amad and Sesko came on in the second half.
Importantly, Amorim has called on his United squad to move away from the culture of frustration that developed under former manager Erik ten Hag, when players left out of the starting lineup often became disheartened.
The report stated that the United manager has made it clear that sulking will not be accepted, urging substitutes instead to view themselves as potential game-changers and to take pride in the responsibility of making an impact when given the chance.
In recent years, multiple United players have shown frustration at being left out of the starting lineup, with Alejandro Garnacho’s response after last season’s Europa League final serving as the most recent example.
Every player must be ready to fight for their place
This isn’t something new – plenty of managers in football and other sports are placing increasing amounts of importance on substitutes. Gareth Southgate referred to them as “finishers” when he was England boss.
Amorim has made it clear in multiple interviews that he greatly values his substitutes and makes his team selections with them in mind.
But it is important for that message to sink in for the players. There is a knock-on effect of those players being ready to fight off the bench.
Mason Mount, for example, will likely see plenty of minutes coming off the bench this season, and if he can continue his positive form, he will be pushing Cunha and the other attackers.
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